Trump’s pullout announcement changed nothing. The US came to Syria to stay – 18 or more Pentagon bases built for permanent occupation, new ones being constructed, including cross-border in Iraq.

Israel continues its undeclared war on the Syrian Arab Republic – terror-bombing targets at its discretion, largely from Lebanese airspace – Russia doing nothing to challenge US, NATO, Turkish and Israeli aggression in the country, ongoing with no end of it in prospect.

Last month, Russia’s Nezavisimaya Gazeta said that Israel is preparing for escalated war on the country – whether US forces stay or leave, part of its aim for a greater Israel, wanting territory bordering its own annexed.

It’s the only nation without declared borders for this purpose, wanting them extended, coveting Syrian and Lebanese territory, maybe more from Egypt.

Israel’s phony pretext for attacking Syria is the presence of Iranian military advisors and Hezbollah fighters in the country at the behest of Damascus, involved in combatting US-supported terrorists – posing no threat to Israeli security.

Claims otherwise are fabricated. In December, former Netanyahu regime war minister Avigdor Lieberman said Trump’s no-pullout/pullout from Syria “greatly increases the likelihood of a large-scale conflict in the north, whether in Lebanon or Syria,” adding:

The uplifted “morale of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and his allies, Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah” over liberating most Syrian territory will be countered by escalated Israeli attacks on its territory. Prospects for turning a page for peace and stability are nonexistent.

Bolton and Pompeo pledged continued US cooperation with Israel for regional objectives both countries seek. Targeting Iran is all about its sovereign independence, its opposition to endless US/NATO/Israeli regional wars, Washington’s longstanding aim to replace all sovereign independent governments with pro-Western puppet rule.

Pompeo lied accusing Iran of regional “aggression” – a US/NATO/Israeli specialty. The Islamic Republic is the region’s leading proponent of peace and stability – its agenda polar opposite US-led war on humanity.

Reports of withdrawing some Pentagon equipment from Syria amounts to head fake deception. Spokesman Col. Sean Ryan lied, claiming the US “has begun the process of our deliberate withdrawal from Syria. Out of concern for operational security, we will not discuss specific timelines, locations or troop movements.”

No withdrawal of troops or weapons began, none expected as long as US invented threats exist, a phony pretext for all its wars of aggression.

Last month, Turkey’s Erdogan vowed further cross-border attacks in Syria against Kurdish YPG fighters. Threatening to launch an offensive in days, he held off to give US forces in northern Syria time to withdraw.

On Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Melvet Cavusoglu said if the US pullout “is put off with ridiculous excuses like Turks are massacring Kurds…we will implement this decision,” suggesting it could come any time, adding:

“We are determined on the field and at the table. We will decide on its timing, and we will not receive permission from anyone” – whether US forces leave or stay in Syria.

“It is not possible for us to accept and stomach the message Bolton gave from Israel” – why Erdogan snubbed him during his Ankara visit, adding:

“Regarding this matter, Bolton has made a serious mistake and whoever thinks like this has also made a mistake.”

“It is not possible for us to make compromises on this point. Those who are part of the terror corridor in Syria will receive the necessary lesson. There is no single difference between the PKK, YPG, PYD (Democratic Union Party) and Daesh (ISIS).”

Throughout much of the war, Erdogan supported the scourge of ISIS and other terrorists in Syria he pretended to oppose, his agenda perhaps no different now. He’s a tinpot despot never to be trusted.

His earlier and planned aggression in Syria was and remains all about combating Kurdish YPG fighters, not ISIS or other jihadists, part of his aim to annex northern Syrian territory.

Days earlier, he said cross-border operations could start any time. His aide Ibrahim Kalin reportedly told Bolton “we won’t get permission from anyone in our (so-called) counter-terror operations” – that have more to do with supporting the scourge than opposing it.

They’re a counterweight to US and Israeli regional aims, along with Russia even though Erdogan’s alliance of convenience with Moscow and Iran on resolving conflict in Syria is suspect.

Nothing is simple in the Middle East – lots of political intrigue and shifting alliances ongoing. The oil-rich part of the world is a flashpoint for endless conflicts – mostly because of US and Israeli hegemonic aims.

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.

About Stephen

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967.